JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS ADVENTURE
EASTERN OREGON AREA
(Updated Version, 5/24/06)
Field trips are for the purpose of spending time in
the out-of-doors to explore, find interesting rocks or fossils and study the
many recent evidences of God’s creation, which are in bold testimony of His
loving truth and judgment. This field
adventure will be in the John Day – Mitchell – Clarno areas of Eastern Oregon. Parts of the John Day area have been
designated the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, administered by the
National Park Service. The Monument is
in three parts, separated by 50 miles of highway routes. Several of these areas
will be visited during this outing, but much of the time will be devoted to
geologic exposures outside the boundaries of the monument. The summer season of June is an ideal time
to explore this volcanic wonderland before the daytime temperatures become hot.
TRIP EMPHASIS: This field adventure will welcome you to the wild, volcanic world of eastern Oregon. During the Biblical Flood most of eastern Oregon was covered by catastrophic sedimentation and layered volcanic deposits. Much of the trip area is blanketed with a thick sequence of lava flows known as the Columbia River Basalt. These flows came from numerous fissure vents in Southeastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon, and adjacent Idaho. Some of the surficial basalt was removed by later Flood erosion, creating windows that expose the underlying sediments of volcanic tuffs, sandstones, conglomerates and limestones. The sedimentary layers are colorful shades of tan, green, and red, and they often contain fossils. Field trip participants will have the opportunity to study this area to view the many evidences of Flood volcanic activity, catastrophic Flood deposition and erosion, land-surface tilting from tectonic activity, and large areas of water sculpted exposures called Palisades and Pediments; what ever they are? Opportunities for fossil collecting will be available.
TRIP DETIALS: Participants will be staying at Land’s Inn B&B Ranch, located 13 miles south of Kimberly OR, on Highway 19. The Ranch has plenty of lawn area for tents and for recreational vehicle parking, and variably priced cabins for rent. Being on the eastern slope of the John Day River Canyon, the panoramic scenery from the Ranch is spectacular.
· Camping Fees: Costs are $25.00 per family per night with tent or with R.V. This includes shower facilities and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning for everyone. There are no hookups for the R.V’s. For families who desire Motel accommodations, there are cabins with 2 double beds for $55.00 per night w/ breakfast, and cabins with 4 double beds for $95.00 per night with breakfast. Optional dinner on Saturday night will be available for an additional charge. Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash.
·
Travel:
Friday morning, June 23rd and Sunday
afternoon, June 25th will be considered travel periods. Travel from Boise via Hwy I-84 to Ontario
and Hwy 26 via Vale, Unity, John Day and Dayville to the junction of Hwy 19. Proceed north, or right
off of Hwy 26, onto Hwy 19 for 6 miles to the large sign for the Land’s Inn
B&B Ranch, to the right. The ranch
is located 5 miles via dirt road to Land’s Inn. Mileage from Boise is 172 miles or about 3.5 hours at normal
speed limits. From Ontario travel time
would be 2.5 hours.
Come prepared to enjoy the
wonders of Creation and the Flood that God made especially for us to view,
enjoy, study and guide us to better understand the manifold witness of His
Grace.